Arizona Shooting Leaves Human Smuggling Suspect Critical After Gunfire With Border Patrol Agents

An early-morning pursuit near the US-Mexico border in southern Arizona escalated into a dramatic exchange of gunfire after a suspected human smuggler allegedly opened fire on Border Patrol agents and a federal helicopter, leaving the suspect critically injured and prompting multiple investigations.

The Arizona shooting unfolded shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday near Arivaca, a small rural community about 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of the border. According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, federal agents attempted to stop a pickup truck in the area when the driver failed to pull over, fled the vehicle and ran on foot.

Gunfire Erupts During Border Patrol Pursuit

As agents attempted to arrest the suspect, he allegedly fired shots at Border Patrol officers and at an Air and Marine Operations helicopter circling overhead, officials said as cited by CNN. Agents returned fire, striking the driver. No federal agents were injured during the incident.

The suspect was treated at the scene before being airlifted to a local hospital by medical helicopter. Emergency crews from the Santa Rita Fire District responded to the shooting, confirming the man was taken for urgent medical care.

Suspect Identified With Prior Smuggling Conviction

Authorities later identified the suspect as 34-year-old Patrick Gary Schlegel, a US citizen from Sahuarita, Arizona, located about 40 miles (64 kilometres) northeast of the scene. Federal officials said Schlegel had an active arrest warrant related to a previous federal alien smuggling conviction.

Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Phoenix division, said Schlegel was in critical condition and in custody when officials arrived. Following surgery, he was listed as being in serious but stable condition.

Second Encounter Before Shooting

Sheriff Nanos said this was not the first time agents had encountered the vehicle that morning. Federal officers had earlier attempted to stop the same pickup truck in the area, but it managed to escape along with several people inside.

Officials have not confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought or whether any migrants were recovered during the earlier encounter. The investigation is continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the pursuit and shooting.

Multiple Investigations Launched

The FBI has asked the Pima County Sheriff's Department to lead the use-of-force investigation involving the Border Patrol agents. A parallel federal investigation is also under way, while the Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident.

Janke said the FBI has submitted three charges for a criminal complaint against Schlegel to the US Attorney's Office. Investigators are processing the scene, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Once the sheriff's department completes its investigation, a report will be submitted to the county attorney's office for consideration of any additional charges.

Border Use-of-Force Under Scrutiny

The Arizona shooting comes amid heightened scrutiny of border enforcement and federal use-of-force incidents. According to Customs and Border Protection statistics, federal officers were involved in 106 use-of-force incidents in the Tucson sector last year, most involving vehicles during operations.

So far this year, 27 similar incidents have already been reported across the same region, which spans much of Arizona from the New Mexico state line to Yuma County.

Arivaca, home to roughly 600 residents, sits about an hour south of Tucson. In a statement, the Pima County Sheriff's Department urged patience from the community, noting that use-of-force investigations are complex and require time.